The World Bank has agreed to provide financial assistance for the 4,320mw Dasu hydropower project which will be constructed in phases after the 4,500mw Diamer Basha dam project is initiated and a financial plan finalised.
According to a WAPDA spokesman, Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Shakil Durrani stated on Saturday this while chairing a meeting at the WAPDA House to discuss a report submitted by an international panel of experts.
WAPDA Member (Water), Secretary WAPDA and the general managers concerned attended the meeting.
The chairman said the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) had taken keen interest in providing funds for the WAPDA projects due to the excellent Economic Internal Rate of Returns (EIRR) of the schemes.
The Dasu hydropower project is part of a least-cost energy generation plan, being executed by WAPDA to harness indigenous hydropower resources of the country with a view to improve the ratio of hydropower electricity in the national grid.
The project is proposed to be constructed on the Indus River, seven kilometer upstream of the Dasu village and 74 kilometers downstream of the Diamer-Basha project.
The site of the project is situated on Korakoram Highway, about 350 kilometers from Islamabad. WAPDA’s priority is to construct the Diamer Basha dam for which land acquisition has already started and 13 contracts for offices, colonies and roads awarded.
The World Bank is providing funds for preparation of a detailed engineering design. On completion, the project will generate 21.3 billion units of electricity per annum. The completion of the project will also have a positive impact on the existing hydropower stations including
Tarbela, Ghazi Barotha and Chashma.
